Phil Jagielka battling with John Stones for club AND country

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: Phil Jagielka (L) and John Stones (R) of Everton talk during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at White Hart Lane on August 29, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

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PHIL JAGIELKA has been keeping John Stones out of the Everton starting line-up this season - but the Blues skipper now wants to repeat the feat for his country.

Jagielka, 33, won the last of his 38 caps in October against Lithuania - but injury kept him out of the autumn friendlies against France and Spain and he believes that since then boss Roy Hodgson has already decided upon three of his four defensive berths for the European Championship finals.

England play Germany on Saturday night then Holland next Tuesday and Jagielka said: “We will find out more in these two games, if not the three before the finals.

“You would have to ask Roy but it looks like you have probably got Nathaniel Clyne, Gaz (Gary Cahill), Chris (Smalling) and a left-back.

“That is probably the starting back four with Joe (Hart) in goal.

“Obviously John (Stones) is looking to get back in there as well but I’ve got to think I have a chance.

John Stones and Phil Jagielka in action during an England training session

“I am not going there to wash people’s boots and clean the kit. I am going there to try to get a game.

“I am not sure where I stand exactly. Obviously I missed the last trip.

“I will go there, keep my head down and see where it takes me.

“It is a case of waiting to see what happens between now and the end of the season. There is some good competition for places.

“A lot can happen between now and the tournament. It is important we put pressure on the people playing.”